Update on the termination status
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R 251518Z NOV 09
ALCOAST 675/09
COMDTNOTE 16560
SUBJ: LONG RANGE NAVIGATION (LORAN-C) TERMINATION
1. EARLIER THIS YEAR, AFTER RELEASE OF THE PRESIDENTS FY10
BUDGET REQUEST THAT IDENTIFIED LORAN-C FOR TERMINATION, THE
VICE COMMANDANT RELEASED AN ALL-HANDS EMAIL THAT DISCUSSED THE
PLANNED TERMINATION AND OUR WAY FORWARD. SINCE THEN, A BROAD
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAM BASED OUT OF CGHQ, LED BY COMDT (CG-541)
AND COMDT (CG-43), AND INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM PERSONNEL
SERVICE CENTER, NAVIGATION CENTER, LORAN SUPPORT UNIT, THE CIVIL
ENGINEERING PROGRAM, AND OTHER ELEMENTS, HAS DEVELOPED A
COMPREHENSIVE TERMINATION PLAN THAT WILL FURTHER GUIDE OUR ACTIONS.
ON OCTOBER 28, 2009,THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE 2010 DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, WHICH DIRECTS THE COAST
GUARD TO DISCONTINUE LORAN-C OPERATIONS NOT EARLIER THAN 4 JAN 2010
AS LONG AS CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET.
2. THE ACT REQUIRES THE COMMANDANT TO CERTIFY THAT
TERMINATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE LORAN-C SIGNAL WILL NOT
ADVERSELY IMPACT THE SAFETY OF MARITIME NAVIGATION, AND
FURTHER REQUIRES THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY TO CERTIFY THAT THE LORAN-C SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT
NEEDED AS A BACKUP TO THE GPS SYSTEM OR TO MEET ANY OTHER FEDERAL
NAVIGATION REQUIREMENT. WHEN THOSE CERTIFICATIONS ARE MADE, THE
U.S. COAST GUARD SHALL, COMMENCING JANUARY 4, 2010, TERMINATE THE
TRANSMISSION OF THE LORAN-C SIGNAL AND COMMENCE A PHASED
DECOMMISSIONING OF THE LORAN-C SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE.
3. OUR CURRENT MISSION REMAINS CLEAR. WE WILL CONTINUE TO
STAND THE WATCH AND OPERATE THE LORAN-C SYSTEM UNTIL BOTH
CERTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. CONCURRENTLY, WE MUST PREPARE
OURSELVES TO OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED BUDGET AND
CONTINUE TERMINATION PROGRESS. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THROUGHOUT THE
PLANNING PROCESS WE REMAIN STEWARDS TO THE TAXPAYERS, THE
ENVIRONMENT, THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT HOST LORAN SITES, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY THE GUARDIANS WHO HAVE LOYALLY OPERATED AND MAINTAINED
OUR STATIONS FOR THE PAST FIFTY YEARS, AND WHO CONTINUE TO
PROFESSIONALLY DO SO TODAY.
4. TAILORED INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNAL TERMINATION, AND
STATION-SPECIFIC SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES, WILL BE TRANSMITTED
OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO EACH STATION BY NAVCEN, THE
OPERATIONAL COMMANDER OF THE NATIONS LORAN SYSTEM.
5. WE UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH
EXECUTING A MISSION WHEN PROGRAMMATIC AND PERSONAL FUTURES ARE
UNCLEAR. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION TO AREAS AND
DISTRICTS THAT HAVE LORAN STATIONS IN THEIR AORS, FOR FURTHER
TRANSMISSION TO STATION PERSONNEL. THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, WE
COLLECTIVELY REMAIN COMMITTED TO MINIMIZING PERSONNEL DISRUPTIONS
TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE WHILE FULFILLING OUR NATIONAL MANDATE TO
FULLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM UNTIL TERMINATED.
6. COAST GUARD PERSONNEL HAVE STAFFED AND OPERATED LORAN
SINCE 1943. SINCE THAT TIME, LORAN HAS GONE THROUGH SEVERAL
CHANGES WITH INCREDIBLE ACCURACY AND WITH NEAR ZERO LOST
TIME. THE LORAN SYSTEM SUPERBLY SUPPORTED NAVIGATION AND
POSITIONING NEEDS FOR MANY YEARS, AND HAS BEEN A FOUNDATIONAL
ELEMENT OF THE COAST GUARDS LONG AND PROUD HISTORY. THANK YOU ALL
FOR YOUR CONTINUED PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION TO THE LORAN
PROGRAM AND THE COAST GUARD.
7. POC: CDR BOB FEIGENBLATT, LORAN PROGRAM MANAGER,
AT 202-372-1558, OR EMAIL BOB.I.FEIGENBLATT(AT)
USCG.MIL.
8. RDML KEVIN COOK, DIRECTOR OF PREVENTION POLICY, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
